Archive for April 1st, 2009
A dog is a member of your family that needs its own space
A dog is a member of your family that needs its own space. Whether you have a puppy or and older dog, they will need a place where they can retreat to take a nap, sleep or just relax after a long day of activities.
Many people purchase dog beds to keep the dog off of the furniture. When a dog knows they have their own comfortable space, they will usually stay there rather than getting on your furniture.
Dog beds come in a variety of styles and configurations and it is up to you to pick the right one for your dog. Some of the styles you will find include dog couches, the traditional round beds, and donut style and pillbox versions.
A dog bed should be comfortable for your dog and give good support to their bodies. You will have to remember that your dog is a dog. Many beds look fancy and are supposed to get the owner’s attention but, provide little benefit to the dog. Looks are nice but, not always important when it comes to your dog’s comfort. If you have an older dog you may want to look at orthopedic style dog beds for the proper support for aching bones and joints.
When looking for a dog bed there are several factors to consider.
1. Size- You will want to measure your dog while they are resting to get an idea of the proper size bed where they will be comfortable. Your vet can also provide you with guidelines for sizing.
2. Space- you will need to find a space for the bed. Preferably, this space should be out of high traffic areas but, close enough to everyone else so they don’t feel left out. You will also have to measure this space to make sure it will fit the bed size you need.
3. Health- Take your dog’s health into consideration. If you have a young dog or a puppy you don’t have to worry so much but, if you have an older dog you may want to see which beds give the most support.
4. Maintenance- The dog’s bed is where a lot of self cleaning and chewing will happen. For this reason you will want to make sure the bed is easily kept clean and washable or has replaceable covers.
Follow these tips and you should be very successful in finding a great bed for you dog.